Why Boehner Is Pressing Health-Law Fight and What It Means

Congress is working through the weekend to resolve a standoff that could prompt a government shutdown next week. Here’s a look at what’s happening, and why, ahead of the Monday night deadline to approve new funding for federal agencies.

Q. What are the next steps in Congress to avoid a government shutdown?

A. The House is expected Saturday evening to approve a plan to fund federal agencies through Dec. 15, which would also include conditions related to the new federal health law. Those would delay the start of the health law for one year and repeal the law’s tax on medical devices.

Q. Senate Democrats say they will reject any changes to the health law, and President Barack Obama would veto such a bill. Why did House Speaker John Boehner (R., Ohio) move to delay the law?

A. Mr. Boehner has a powerful incentive to continue to press his party’s fight against the health law: Conservatives in the House Republican conference are clamoring for a confrontation over it, and they have the votes to make trouble for Mr. Boehner on this and many other fiscal matters. Mr. Boehner does not want to stand down from a fight too soon.